Hornet Grapplers Feted at Annual Banquet

Hundreds of family members and fans packed the high school cafeteria Saturday night to bring down the curtain on another successful grappling season.

Honesdale's Friends of Wrestling booster club once again hosted the event, which honored student/athletes at the junior high, jayvee and varsity levels.

Veteran coach Ryan Chulada presided over the festivities.

"I think this was a very successful season," Coach Chulada said. "I'm as competitive a person as you'll ever meet, but sometimes wins and losses aren't really the ultimate measure of a season."

The varsity Hornets enjoyed another solid season in an always-rugged Lackawanna League. Honesdale posted a 3-2 record in Division One and qualified for District Duals.

Overall, the Red & Black finished up the 2012-13 campaign with a 5-10 mark in dual meets.

"We may not have won 20 matches or a league title," said Coach Chulada. "But, from a big picture standpoint, these kids became better wrestlers and better people this year and I'm proud of them."

On-Mat Leaders

Zach Smith, Evan Kennedy and Joe Quinn led the way for Honesdale.

Smith is a senior who competed at 170 pounds. Zach piled up 28 wins on the season, earned a District Two silver medal and advanced to Northeast Regionals. He closed out a stellar 4-year varsity career with 117 wins, which is third on the all-time school list.

Smith has already signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his career at the collegiate level. Next season, Zach will be wrestling at George Mason University.

"Zach worked incredibly hard and made himself into one of the best wrestlers in Honesdale history," Coach Chulada said. "He's been a rock the past three years especially and he'll be impossible to replace."

Kennedy was very nearly as impressive this winter. A junior who wrestled at 130, Evan hammered out 26 victories and appears to be a lock for the 100-Win Club next year.

He led Honesdale in several major statistical categories this season, including pins (17) and team points (135).

Kennedy finished first in his weight class at the Lackawanna League tournament and earned a 4th place medal at districts.

"Evan didn't finish out the season as well as he wouldve liked and he's using that as motivation," Coach Chulada said. "Evan had a tremendous year, but I think you're going to see him really take it to the next level as a senior."

Quinn is a senior who came on strong as the year progressed. Joe competed at 215 and battled his way to a 21-win season.

He led the Hornets in technical falls with three, captured 103 team points and earned himself a 4th place finish at the league tourney. Quinn will be serving his country in the United States Marine Corps after graduation.

"Joe Quinn set a great example for our younger kids this year," said Coach Chulada. "He worked so hard in practice and in the weight room. Joe went from eight wins to 21 wins and that just speaks volumes to his dedication to the sport."

Award Winners

A total of 10 major awards were presented to varity wrestlers at this year's banquet.

•Most Valuable Wrestler: Zach Smith.

•Rookie of the Year: Joe Walsh

•Most Improved: Eric Daniels

•Iron Man Pinner: Evan Kennedy

•Coaches Dedication: Joe Quinn

•Academic Excellence: Ben Rutledge

•Chooch Chulada Scholarship: Zach Smith

•George Stanton Memorial Scholarship: Zach Smith

•Dave Olver Memorial Scholarship: Eric Daniels.

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